Culver -Union Township Fire Department David Burns former fire Chief dies
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1990 Aug 23 David Burns
former fire Chief dies.
On Left: ? Bill Snyder (Partial side view) right: Bill Martin & Bud Cartwright; on back Robert "Bob"
Adler & Tony Wakefield |
From the Culver Citizen: Fire Engine Takes Burns to cemetery -
Well known Culver citizen David B. Burns, 81, was taken to his final resting place
at Culver Masonic Cemetery on a Culver -Union Township Fire Department engine, as
was befitting a former chief.
He was laid to rest in a plot marked by a
heart-shaped tombstone that he had built himself.
His funeral took place Monday afternoon in Grace United Church of Christ, with the
Rev. Donald Wagner, pastor officiating. The sanctuary was overflowing with friends
and relatives.
Mr. Burns, of 419 South Main Street, Culver , died at 2:50 p.m. last Thursday at Holy
Cross Parkview Hospital, Plymouth.
He had suffered a heart attack.
"There are many stories to tell of this prominent man," said Wagner in his e ulogy.
He told some of them.
"David Burns came to Culver with his mother and father in 1915 when he was six
years old. He learned the trade of masonry from his father.
When he and his father were laying brick for the railroad depot, Dave wo uld
lay it, and his father wo uld take it back - until he got it right." related the minister.
Then there was his love of fishing and the lake. Dave always had a lot of fish
stories. He was the first one to put out a line on the ice and one of the last to
take a line out in the spring", continued he pastor.
Then he called and fed ducks every day. It is said he even taught some parrots to
quack", said Wagner.
Then he concluded by saying "David has taught us all something about living.
And he has left this world a better place by having been here.
Mr. Burns was born to the late Agnes M. Thomas and James E. Burns in Kilmarock,
Scotland, on March 28, 1909. He had lived in Culver since 1915; coming from Chicago.
He was a concrete mason, self-employed at the time of his death. Most of his life
he was employed at Culver Military Academy, retiring from there in 1974.
He had also been employed by Barnes Construction Company.
Mr. Burns was Culver -Union Township Fire Department chief from 1943-73. He had
been a member of the fire department beginning in 1933.
He had been a Marshall County deputy sheriff and also served as deputy Marshall
in Culver . He formerly belonged to the Marshall County and Indiana State Fireman's
Association. He was a member of Maxinkuckee International Order of Odd Fellows
Lodge No. 373. In 1989 Mr. Burns was honored by being selected as grand marshal
of the Lakefest Parade. He married Frieda Reed on February 22, 1930. She died in
1961. On January 1, 1977 he married Judith McKee. She survives. Other survivors
are four sons, David M. Burns of Culver , Douglas K. Burns of Plymouth, Rickey A.
Burns of Lafayette and David B. Burns of Culver ; five daughters Eunice Schrimsher
of Culver , Betty Rosebaum of Hanna, Nancy Jiminez of Culver , Helen Norman of Arkon
and Susie Burns of Culver ; 30 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Two brothers
preceded him in death. Funeral arrangements were handled by Bonine Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions were requested by the family to be made to the Lake
Maxinkuckee Enviormental Association or the Culver -Union Township Emergency Medical
Service.,